By Xavier Vavasseur - Chief Editor
At the 14th Baltic Military Fair BALT-MILITARY-EXPO 2016 held in June
in Gdansk, Poland, MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting Ltd (MMC)
& Remontowa Shipbuilding (Remontowa) unveiled a novel concept: A
Stealth Logistic Support Vessel. MMC is an independent design company
specializing in ships for the offshore industry and specialist ships.
Remontowa is a member of Remontowa holding and a leading shipyard in
Poland.

Artist
impression: Stealth Logistic Support Vessel underway

MMC
and Remontowa are partner in this project which was launched recently
to answer a future Polish Navy need for ocean going support vessel(s).
The main characteristics of the vessel are the following: Length over
all 116.36 meters; Maximum Breadth 17.90 meters; Displacement of 6,100
tons.

The vessel is able to navigate in moderate ice conditions and offers
NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection to its crew of 60
sailors.

Some of the key attributes of the vessel (especially for a logistic
support vessel) is that it features reduced thermal signature and reduced
radar cross section. This is achieved in part thanks to the underway
replenishment (UNREP) masts being sheltered inside the hull: When the
vessel is not conducting UNREP opreations, the hull is completely flush.
There are four masts for liquids and solid stores up to 1 ton and one
more sheltered UNREP mast for liquids at the stern.

The helicopter deck and hangar can accomodate a single 11 tons class helicopter.

CGIs
of the Stealth Logistic Support Vessel

The
Stealth Logistic Support Vessel's top speed is 20 knots, its endurance
is 30 days at sea and range is 8,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. The propulsion
system is CODELOD (COmbined Diesel ELectric Or Diesel): 2x 5000 kW for
the main diesel engine and 2x 2500 kW for the electric propulsion, with
two controlled pitch propellers.

The main missions of the vessel include:
» Support of naval fleet by replenishment at sea with liquids and
solids;
» Helicopter operations (HIFR, VERTREP);
» Transport of explosive goods;
» Transport of vehicles;
» Humanitarian operations (eg. based on 20ft container medical facilities);
» Other auxiliary missions including patrol with use of containerized
mission modules (based on 20ft container).